Ronald Reagan dollar coin: 'Smart move' or 'waste of money'?

Coin World readers sounded off on Facebook about the prospect of a 2016
Ronald Reagan Presidential dollar

Collectors have long been pushing for a Ronald Reagan Presidential dollar as part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. The program entered it final full year in 2015, with two more coins in 2016. Official White House photograph, 1981.

One of the big stories of the week is also the most controversial ones.

The U.S. Mint is planning to release a Ronald Reagan Presidential
dollar coin in 2016, Coin World's Paul Gilkes reported
Thursday. That would fly in the face of previous Mint plans to
halt the series after releasing Gerald Ford's coin, as his
predecessor, Jimmy Carter, is still alive.

Paired with the Reagan dollar in 2016 would be a Nancy Reagan First
Spouse gold $10 coin.

Not surprsingly, we have heard from Facebook fans who support of
the Reagan dollar coin, and from fans who are against it (be it for
personal or numismatic reasons).

Here are some of the comments that we've recieved so far:

Patrick Rueb: "Smart move."

Bob Yamtich: "For me, I think it is important to be clear
that it isn't about politics. I'm sure President Carter would rather
be alive than be on a coin. What would happen to the planning process
if he were to pass away? Certainly, I wouldn't want the series to
stop, but a pause would also be awkward. I'd say proceed, because I
see kids learn more about the world every time they study a new coin."

Gary Dunaier: "I was never a big fan of Reagan, but I
agree that since he's deceased he should be included in the set. But I
wonder if the fact that Nancy Reagan is still alive will open up
another can of worms, since they're obviously planning to include her
in the First Spouses set."

Joshua Holman: "I'm tickled pink as my collection will be
complete!!! Now what to do with all the extra holes in my Dansco…."

Gary Dunaier: "I may be in the minority here, but I think
I'd like to see the set include the living ex-presidents as well, up
to — but not including — the current occupant, At the current rate of
four coins a year, including all of the living ex-presidents, would
take us to 2017 and include Obama, since he would leave office on
January 20 of that year."

Richard Campbell: "That is one I will not be purchasing."

Albert Tarwerdi: "What a joke he was one of the biggest
crooks as a president with countless scandals."

Larry Buchanan: "Please don’t."

John Theiss: "Only if they put Nancy on the back of it!"

Patrick Emmett McBride: "Modern presidents on coins is a
contentious debate because their historical legacy is not yet
established. Half the country would have been enraged to see Lincoln
on coin or currency in 1865. But the counter is JFK on the half in 64.
I don't remember a lot of resistance then. Of course, assassinated
presidents present a different perspective. Let's agree either way it
would be a set that is never complete we hope."

Daniel Pon: "I've got no problem with seeing a living
ex-president on a coin. It's not like it will give them special powers
and propel them back into office."

Tom Zilembo: "Waste of money."

Thomas DeLorey: "I have no objection to the living widow
of a deceased President appearing on a First Spouse Coin, but I do
object to the Mint issuing a President Reagan dollar out of sequence,
since his predecessor, President Jimmy Carter, is still alive and well
and doing great work for mankind."

What do you think about a Reagan coin in 2016? Tell us in the
comment section below!

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.